Melissa Narusky, left, sings the Shalmont alma mater with members of the school's concert choir before the start of Saturday night's game against Broadalbin-Perth in Rotterdam Sept. 22, 2012. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union) less

Melissa Narusky, left, sings the Shalmont alma mater with members of the school's concert choir before the start of Saturday night's game against Broadalbin-Perth in Rotterdam Sept. 22, 2012. (John Carl ... more

Schalmont's #21 Devon Willis leads his team onto the field through the cheers of members of Shalmont's youth football program to meet Broadalbin-Perth Saturday night's game in Rotterdam Sept. 22, 2012. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union) less

Schalmont's #21 Devon Willis leads his team onto the field through the cheers of members of Shalmont's youth football program to meet Broadalbin-Perth Saturday night's game in Rotterdam Sept. 22, 2012. (John ... more

Photo: John Carl D'Annibale

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Schalmont realigns in big victory

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ROTTERDAM — Devon Willis scored on his fifth touchdown run Saturday night one minute into the third quarter, but that did not even remotely come close to being the most satisfying moment for the Schalmont junior football star. In fact, Willis' favorite time came when he wasn't even on the field.

Willis howled his approval and jumped up and down on the sidelines when the Sabres' coaches had some of the team's starting offensive lineman take handoffs.

"Watching the linemen get some carries was a great sight to see," Willis said.

After Willis and senior Chas Higgins combined on eight touchdown runs, linemen Mike Famolaro, Ryan Wintle and Jesse Ross each got a carry in the fourth quarter as the Sabres extended their winning streak against Section II Class B teams to 31 games with a 51-6 West Division victory over Broadalbin-Perth.

Willis, a first team Class B state all-star at running back in 2011, began the season as the Sabres' starting quarterback. Saturday night, Willis was back at running back and sophomore Nick Gallo played quarterback, and the offense truly clicked against the Patriots (3-1, 2-1).

Willis scored on runs covering 20, 9, 10, 66 and 22 yards and led all rushers with 173 yards on 16 attempts.

"The offensive line did great. They really penetrated (the Patriots' defensive front) and opened up some lanes. I'm glad to be running behind them," Willis said.

"He is going to stay there. He seems himself (at running back)," Schalmont coach Joe Whipple said. "We tried it. We gave it three weeks against tough competition."

Schalmont (3-1, 3-0) lost to four-time reigning Class A champion Burnt Hills 37-0 in Week 2 and slipped past West Division rival Schuylerville 27-24 last week. Saturday's outcome was never in doubt as the Sabres scored on their first six possessions to grab a 37-0 advantage with 2:15 remaining in the second quarter.

"We did some really good things tonight and this is what we've been waiting for," Whipple said. "We really put the pressure on them in practice and they responded. We have to use this game as a catalyst."

Broadalbin-Perth defensive lineman Pierre LaPort scored on a 52-yard fumble return with 1:03 left in the second quarter.

Famolaro scooped up a fumble by the Patriots in the third quarter, but the senior — an all-state selection in 2011 — was caught from behind.

"I took it 40 yards and then there was a slow decrease in speed," Famolaro said.